Calling all LAWYERS: Are car media photos copyrighted??

BForbes · 12-08-2008, 05:32 PM

Are pictures released to the media by car companies copyrighted??

What about the ones taken at autoshows?

-BForbes

former · 12-08-2008, 06:00 PM

I am not a lawyer, but typically, everything is copyrighted. You would have to explicitly release your product free of charge to negate copyright on anything you produce.

Best guess? Anything the companies produce is copyrighted. However, since they are in the business of promotion, I'm sure they would allow you to use them. Just get their permission...

(Probably their press kits stipulate exactly how and where you can use the contents as well).

BForbes · 12-08-2008, 06:58 PM

Ahh. Thanks Former. Your advice seems sound.

SoCalTech · 12-08-2008, 08:41 PM

The way I understand it from my photographer sister, is that all photos are automatically copywrite of the photographer. The the copywrite gets purchased by the publisher/company/etc.

135i_TT · 12-08-2008, 09:01 PM

Interesting.... I havent learned to much bout copyright cuz im takn basics at college and criminal justice... Ill be in Law School in about 2-3 years..

BForbes · 12-08-2008, 11:36 PM

Hmm.. thanks for all the input so far guys!

larryn · 12-09-2008, 07:44 AM

There was an episode of Photoshop User TV (vodcast) that went over copyrights and re-use of photos. All of the opinions (above) are quite incorrect.

[u2b]QirLvas1CxU&[/u2b]

BForbes · 12-09-2008, 09:18 AM

That was a good video Larryn. It really explains how to register your stuff. I think I might have missed whats available to use outside of www.copyright.gov

12-08-2008, 05:32 PM	#1
BForbes Moderator 594 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Calling all LAWYERS: Are car media photos copyrighted?? Are pictures released to the media by car companies copyrighted?? What about the ones taken at autoshows? -BForbes __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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12-08-2008, 06:00 PM	#2
former Practical Idealist 9 Rep 408 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Greater Los Angeles Area iTrader: (0)	I am not a lawyer, but typically, everything is copyrighted. You would have to explicitly release your product free of charge to negate copyright on anything you produce. Best guess? Anything the companies produce is copyrighted. However, since they are in the business of promotion, I'm sure they would allow you to use them. Just get their permission... (Probably their press kits stipulate exactly how and where you can use the contents as well).
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12-08-2008, 06:58 PM	#3
BForbes Moderator 594 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Ahh. Thanks Former. Your advice seems sound. __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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12-08-2008, 08:41 PM	#4
SoCalTech Captain 24 Rep 648 Posts Drives: Not a BMW yet... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Redondo Beach, Ca iTrader: (0)	The way I understand it from my photographer sister, is that all photos are automatically copywrite of the photographer. The the copywrite gets purchased by the publisher/company/etc.
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12-08-2008, 09:01 PM	#5
135i_TT 1Addict, and proud 176 Rep 1,436 Posts Drives: 2009 AW 135i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i ZMP ( ... [0.00] 2006 VW Jetta TDI ( ... [0.00]	Interesting.... I havent learned to much bout copyright cuz im takn basics at college and criminal justice... Ill be in Law School in about 2-3 years.. __________________ BMW AW 135i ZMP:6mt,Coral Red Leather,Silver Matte Trim,Heated Front Seats,I-Drive,HD Radio,Ipod/Usb,Comf.Acces www.wix.com/TT135i/Moi
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12-08-2008, 11:36 PM	#6
BForbes Moderator 594 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Hmm.. thanks for all the input so far guys! __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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12-09-2008, 07:44 AM	#7
larryn Lieutenant General 2158 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	There was an episode of Photoshop User TV (vodcast) that went over copyrights and re-use of photos. All of the opinions (above) are quite incorrect. [u2b]QirLvas1CxU&[/u2b]
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12-09-2008, 09:18 AM	#8
BForbes Moderator 594 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	That was a good video Larryn. It really explains how to register your stuff. I think I might have missed whats available to use outside of www.copyright.gov __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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